I took a morning train to Kaohsiung, followed by a bus to Fo Guang Shan, a large modern monastery complex. When I arrived, I asked for a place to put my luggage since I was carrying my full backpack. One of the shaved headed nuns told me it was 11:30 and I can have lunch up at the Pilgrim’s Lodge. I ate a nice vegetarian buffet lunch. And it was a donation type place too.
Then I gave myself a tour around the place, through huge halls, museums, art galleries, statue parks, and even a Disneyland style attraction featuring moving models of people.
On my way to leave, I tried to time myself to catch the bus, but then there was an “X” next to the time of 14:40. Someone explained that bus doesn’t run anymore, so I had to sit for another hour.
I was heading back to Kaohsiung, Taiwan’s 2nd largest city. It seems more dirty and more like China in this city compared to Taipei. Since it isn’t too attractive, I’m just passing through. I got a train to Taichung.